Thank you, Becky, for your comment in response to our recent post on our new television commercials about the dangers of drinking and driving. It is really great to hear that our efforts are making an impact. At our law firm we see the devastating effects of drunk driving and underage drinking all too often. Victims, families, and entire communities suffer from the irresponsible and dangerous decision that some drivers make to drink and drive. This is why it is important to us that we get the "Don't Drink and Drive" message out to the public.

In addition to our commercials, we are involved in a number of community service projects aimed at combating underage drinking and drunk driving. In fact, Road Radio USA, a multimedia program that we sponsor about the dangers of underage drinking, will be presented at Erie-area middle schools and high schools this week.

With the prom season fast approaching, we are proud to partner with Hot 100 in Central PA to offer the Prom Pledge, an opportunity to talk to hundreds of high school students about not drinking on prom night. We have also partnered with WPXI in Pittsburgh to present "Prom Tips" for having a safe, fun, and alcohol-free prom night. High school seniors also have the opportunity to contribute to our efforts through our "Words to be Heard" scholarship contest. Graduating seniors are encouraged to submit essays with ideas on how to prevent drunk driving among their peers.

These events and campaigns are not limited to the spring and summer months. We promote our "Don't Drink and Drive" message year-round, especially around the holidays when people drink more frequently. Additionally, our attorneys are always available to speak to organizations and schools about the tragic impact of drinking and driving.

Thanks again for your comment, Becky. I hope that our "Don't Drink and Drive" message rings true for everyone. Our law firm feels that it is our responsibility to fight the unnecessary pain and devastation caused by alcohol-related accidents.

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Over the past 40 years as a lawyer, I have often had people say to me, "Do you have any idea of what it is like to be in an accident, to experience what your clients experience?" And I say to people "yes," I have had that experience. Having been hurt in two accidents in just the past couple of years, I understand the fear and worry people feel when they are injured.

A couple of years ago I was sitting down to have breakfast with my wife, the chair broke, and I fell to the floor. My neck was hurt and I couldn't move. I remember that when the ambulance was called and the paramedics immobilized me, I was extremely scared and did not know what to expect. The good news for me was that I was okay, but the experience made me understand the apprehension and anxiety that people who have been seriously injured in an accident must feel.

More recently I was running, and I fell and lacerated my knee down to the bone. I had to be taken to the hospital in an ambulance and once again I was very, very frightened. I have been extremely lucky because I could have been more seriously injured in both instances, but because of those experiences, I realize how frightening it is to be injured in an accident.

There are so many emotional, physical, and practical concerns that come with being injured, and I'm very proud to say that we have a caring and compassionate legal team that works hard to remove as many of these stresses as possible. The only thing we want our clients to focus on after an injury is what is most important – getting better.

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I'm happy to announce a new series of upcoming blog posts that will feature my law firm's Workers Compensation Department. Our experienced team consists of seven attorneys and ten legal staff dedicated exclusively to helping injured workers in Pennsylvania.

Over the next few weeks, we'll be posting about what to do if you're hurt on the job. We'll address questions about the workers comp claims process. For those who are already receiving PA work comp, we'll discuss what to do if you've been denied benefits of if you're in danger of losing workers comp. We'll talk about lump sum settlements and dealing with the insurance company, including watching out for tricks that could cause you to lose your work comp benefits.

To help me discuss the Pennsylvania Workers Compensation system and everything that goes along with it, Attorney Dennis Liotta will join me as a guest blogger. A member of Edgar Snyder & Associates for 18 years, Attorney Liotta is a partner at my law firm and the manager of our Workers Compensation Department. So keep on the lookout for upcoming posts that will help you navigate the issues of dealing with the workers comp system in Pennsylvania.

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I am proud to announce that the latest series of Edgar Snyder & Associates commercials are available online for you to watch right now. Of course, they'll also be playing on televisions throughout Western Pennsylvania in the coming weeks.

After you check out my new ads, stop by my page detailing The Truth About the Insurance Industry. You'll find in depth material and important tips about dealing with the insurance company if you've been injured in an accident.

As always, we want to know what you think of our new ads. Leave a comment here on my blog or check out my new commercials on YouTube and leave a comment there.

Keep checking my blog for the official announcement of our "Make Your Own Edgar Snyder & Associates TV Commercial" Contest. It's your chance to point and say "there's never a fee unless we get money for you!"

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Who out there knows what a "berm drop-off" is? When you're driving on a Pennsylvania road and you encounter a shoulder with a steep downward slope, you're looking at a berm drop-off.

Berm drop-offs are just one of many ways that bad road conditions can increase the risk of getting in a car crash. A one-car accident is any type of crash that doesn't involve another vehicle. Most often, these one-car accidents are caused by poorly maintained roads, nasty weather, and other roadway hazards unrelated to traffic.

The way certain roads are constructed, they can cause water to pool. This amplifies the danger of hydroplaning, which is when a car slips out of the driver's control and slides through water. If your car begins to hydroplane or slip on an ice patch, a steep berm drop-off could send your out-of-control vehicle into a severe collision with a tree, rock, or any manner of hazard on the side of the road.

With a law firm that handles car accident cases, I’ve seen first-hand the type of serious injuries that result from bad Pennsylvania roads. Please stay safe and avoid one-car accidents by driving cautiously on any roads in poor or questionable condition.

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If you’re driving in Western Pennsylvania, there's new information that may change the way you view your locals roads. I was disappointed – but not shocked – to learn that 28 percent of Pittsburgh-area streets have been rated “poor” in a recent research study.

Even the efforts to fix up bad roads can be risky as well. There are dangerous construction zones popping up everywhere causing traffic nightmares and safety hazards. The irony is that these work zones are there to fix poor road conditions, but sometimes the work sites are just as dangerous as the bad streets.

One-car accidents – crashes due to a loss of vehicle control caused by bad roads, weather conditions, car defects, and much more – can be just as dangerous as traffic collisions. With over a quarter of Pittsburgh roads rated in poor condition, it’s no wonder that people continue to get injured in one-car accidents.

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Happy Easter to those of you who celebrate the holiday. Here’s some important information for anyone enjoying Easter baskets or egg hunts:

Parents or grandparents should beware the plastic eggs typically filled with candy and used in Easter egg hunts. Researchers have discovered toxic levels of lead may be contained in the popular plastic eggs. For more on this serious risk, read all about children’s Easter products tainted with lead.

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Just like our clients, many of us at our law firm have suffered injuries due to accidents that were not our fault. So we know, first hand, the kind of pain victims deal with as well as the resulting time off work and medical bills.

Just over the past few months, I had a slip and fall injury, and one of my partners slipped and fell and got hurt. I fell while jogging on bad pavement and ended up in the emergency room with a lacerated knee. Even a beautiful day isn’t without its dangers. Poorly maintained and uneven sidewalks can trip you up.

The icy and snowy Pittsburgh weather was to blame for my partner's slip and fall accident. She fractured a bone in her arm, and needed to wear a sling for many weeks.

Too often, people don't call us for help if they've been injured due to a slip and fall. Don't be embarrassed or assume the accident was your fault. These are some of the most serious injuries we see here at our law firm. Experts all seem to agree that slip and fall accidents are a growing concern, especially for the elderly.

We know from personal experience how a serious injury can cause a major upheaval in your life. I recommend that anyone injured in a slip and fall accident call us immediately. It's critical that we investigate the scene as soon as possible to preserve evidence.

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